The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
Suicide loss changes everything. The Leftover Pieces® Podcast explores life after suicide through honest conversations with survivors, experts, and grieving parents learning to live forward after unimaginable loss. Parents, partners, siblings, and friends share what it means to keep living when the world has been forever changed.
Hosted by Melissa Bottorff-Arey, whose 21-year-old son Alex died by suicide in 2016, the show blends intimate conversations with survivors, healers, and mental health professionals with short solo reflections you can actually use. Together we explore child loss, trauma and nervous-system care, anniversaries and seasons, stigma, faith and meaning, legacy, and the everyday practices that help make life livable again.
At its heart, this podcast is about learning to live forward after loss. We never move on from the people we love, but we can learn to carry the grief differently. This road can feel incredibly lonely—but you are not alone here.
For supporters, educators, and professionals, these conversations also offer insight into the realities of suicide grief and what genuine, non-fixing support can look like.
If you’d like to share your story or expertise, you can request to be a guest through Melissa’s website.
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Content Note
This podcast speaks candidly about grief and suicide loss and may feel activating for some listeners. We avoid graphic descriptions and discussion of suicide methods. Please care for yourself as needed. Melissa is not a doctor or licensed therapist, and nothing shared here should be considered medical or mental-health advice.
The Leftover Pieces: Suicide Loss Conversations
Sibling Roundtable Talk; Cara, Sienna & Parker Talk Suicide Loss of Their Siblings
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Today I take on the topic of sibling loss by suicide with 3 younger (now older?) siblings - Cara lost her big sister Leah in 2018; Sienna lost her big brother Macoy in 2019 and Parker lost his big brother Alex in 2016. This is a long one -- so prepare yourself - but you will find that it is ALL. SO. GOOD.
Hear them talk about - and relate with each other-with things like:
- The attention they receive now (does their sibling seem 'sainted' or put up on a pedestal now?)
- How their stories - their very life - feels like people's worst nightmares; and that. How people avoid being IN their reality.
- Do they have anger toward their sibling? What does this look like for them?
- Unrecognized and suppressed feelings ...
- How they feel about being around people that know vs. people that don't (the before and after)
- How you definitely find out who really cared for your sibling (and you) after.
- Do they lean in, or avoid, discussing their loss and suicide in general.
- Dealing with the stupid things people say - whether they know, or whether they don't
- The heartbreak AND relief when people don't know your sibling.
- HOW do they grieve.... or DO they?
- AND SO MUCH MORE!
This is such a dynamic - and yes, lengthy (BUT in such a necessary way) - conversation!
I hope you will listen and even pass it along to a sibling or parent that needs to take in this valuable
Want to connect with these amazing people??
Find Cara & Esther and Astor HERE or on IG HERE
Find HicksStrong HERE
AND if you have real estate needs in the Kansas City area, find Parker HERE
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My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central - MY HUB - and that means my different SUPPORT GROUP Options are available.
Go DIRECTLY to my SUPPORT page here where you will find ALL of the ways to connect and find support.
ALSO, my first two books (tools I am creating for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on Amazon
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts PL
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💜 The Leftover Pieces is support for life after suicide loss. Click links below
🎙 Leave me a message: Share a question, your story, or your person’s name for a future episode → theleftoverpieces.com/voicemail
🔗 Stay connected: Join my email community for weekly support, resources, and honest conversations.
🛠 Start here: Explore website for suicide loss resources for early grief, family support, and next steps.
🤝 For moms: One-on-one grief coaching for mothers navigating life after child loss.
📞 Need support right now? If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988 (U.S. & Canada), or text HOME to 741741.